Silverware Holders (In-the-Hoop)

Embroidered silverware holders add a bright and colorful look to your dinner table. They're stitched entirely in the hoop (with no extra sewing!), and a variety of themes and colors make them stunning additions for every occasion.

In-the-hoop silverware holders are stitched and constructed completely in the hoop, with no other sewing required.

The designs come with dieline files marked with the letters DL. The dieline files are used to cut the fabric to the proper shape and size prior to embroidering.

Open each of the dieline files in embroidery software, and print them.

If you do not have embroidery software to print dielines, try Wilcom's TrueSizer, a free program.

Place the printed dieline for the front of the silverware holder on a piece of craft felt or wool felt.

Cut out the shape.

Cut the fabric for the back and pocket dielines, too. Use stiffer felt for the pocket piece.

If the silverware holder has applique pieces (such as the patches on the apple), then a dieline file will be included for those elements, too.

When cutting fabric for the applique pieces, use quilter's cotton backed with cutaway stabilizer.

After the fabric pieces are cut, hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Attach the hoop to the machine. Load the embroidery design (the full file, not a dieline/DL file) to the machine.

Embroider the design. Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle. A sharp sewing needle has a finer point than an embroidery needle, and works best with in-the-hoop designs.

Follow the color change sheet, as that shows the order of the stitching.

The first thing to sew is a dieline, or outline of the silverware holder.

After the dieline outline has sewn, spray the back of the front fabric piece with adhesive.

Place the fabric inside the stitched shape.

Continue embroidering the design.

The next thing to stitch will be a tack down stitch. This binds the fabric to the stabilizer.

Continue embroidering the design, following the color change sheet.

Dieline / outlines for the applique pieces will sew. After they've sewn, spray the back of the applique and stabilizer pieces with adhesive, and place them in the outlines.

Continue embroidering the design.

Tack down stitches will sew, binding the applique fabric to the holder front.

Other elements of the design will sew. Continue to follow along on the color change sheet.

Look for a note on the color change sheet that says "back piece tack down."

When you reach this step, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not remove anything from the hoop.

Cut a piece of 1/2" wide ribbon that is 8" long for the napkin holder.

Bring the ends of the ribbon together to form a loop and tape it to the back side of the back fabric piece. The ends of the ribbon should extend in about 1".

Spray the backside of the back fabric piece with temporary adhesive and add it to the back of the embroidery.

Tape the ribbon to the side of the hoop so that it will not be sewn over in the remaining steps.

Spray the top corners and bottom edge of the back of the pocket piece with temporary adhesive.

Align it with the bottom edge of the back fabric piece and smooth in place.

The last thing to stitch is a seam that binds the layers together.

Because this stitch is seen from both sides, use the same color in the bobbin as the needle.

Attach the hoop back on the machine and continue with the design.

Another tack down stitch will sew; this binds the front, back, and pocket fabric together. 

Unhoop the stabilizer and gently tear away the stabilizer away from the silverware holder.

Slip the utensils into the pocket.

Add a napkin through the loop and place at your dinner table for a lively addition.

Pair your silverware holder with a matching napkin and elegant settings for special occasions and holidays.